Chapter 263 - Prelude

The news regarding Qilangos wasn't long, and it only stated the time, location, characters, and outcome. Instead, Detective Bryan's heroic deeds took up several pages of the story… Was the officials trying to simplify the incident?

I didn't expect Mr. Tower to be present at the ball yesterday as well… However, if even Miss Justice can see through it, it's impossible for him not to. He must've seen through Qilangos's disguise ahead of time, just as the newspapers said.

However, Mr. Tower didn't report to me like Miss Justice… Yes, from his attitude during the Tarot Gathering, I can tell that Mr. Tower doesn't pay much attention to Qilangos. He wasn't even interested in the very important item he was trying to obtain…

This meant that Mr. Tower was likely a powerhouse whose strength was even higher than Vice-Admiral Hurricane. That was why he didn't need The Fool's help because he was confident that he could resolve the threat posed by Qilangos!

However, after I advanced to Sequence 8 and deepened my connection with the space above the gray fog, I could already determine that Tower's Sequence was only at Sequence 7…

Then, from this, I can deduce that he must have a very powerful mystical item on him. It might even be a sacred contract item! That's why he didn't care about the item Qilangos desired because he didn't need it…

However, Mr. Tower probably didn't fight Qilangos directly yesterday. Otherwise, there would be news about it…

And since Qilangos's death was described concisely, it could only mean that the person who killed him wasn't suitable to expose it to the media… Therefore, there was a high chance that Mr. Azik was behind it.

As Klein's thoughts wandered, he felt a little more at ease.

Since Vice Admiral Hurricane Qilangos is dead, that means Mr. Azik won! Even if he's injured, it shouldn't be too serious…

If it were more serious, he would definitely be caught by the Mandated Punishers or Duke Negan's Beyonder bodyguards. And in such an emergency situation, Miss Justice, Mr. Hanged Man, and even Mr. Tower would definitely try their best to report to me. The latter not happening is enough to prove that things are under control…

Yes, if Mr. Azik hasn't replied to me by tonight, or if Miss Justice and Mr. Hanged Man haven't prayed to me, I'll blow the copper whistle again and summon the messenger to send a letter of inquiry…

Relaxing, Klein shifted his attention away from the newspaper, preparing to secretly hear the views of the other passengers on the public carriage.

But at that moment, he suddenly heard stacked layers of faint prayers.

Sounds like a lady… Is it Miss Justice, or Miss Judgment? Or are they the two Beyonders that Miss Justice is planning to recommend to the Tarot Club?

As he thought, Klein looked around the carriage. Finally, he sighed helplessly and thought, There's no bathroom on the carriage…

Backlund. Inside the villa at 28 Kingst Street.

Last night, Ebner hadn't accepted Mr. Azik's gift of Creeping Hunger. Instead, he had requested to help deal with Baron Conva.

As for Mr. Azik, he was equally interested in the ancestor of Baron Conva, who was also the powerhouse who was sleeping deep in Calderón City and had powers similar to his. Hence, he agreed.

Through the baron's diary, Ebner knew that he was actually seeking the power of Sefirah Castle. Therefore, his original plan was very simple. It was to hold an exorcism ritual on himself and do a "livestream" for Klein. He could temporarily "catch" the scent of Sefirah Castle and attract the baron over before letting Mr. Azik deal with him.

Of course, in order to prevent Mr. Azik from discovering that he believed in an evil god, he planned on completing the ritual at the Harvest Church.

This way, even if Mr. Azik could tell that he had a high-level aura, he would associate it with Earth Mother…

As for whether it would be inappropriate to pray to Mr. Fool at the Harvest Church, Ebner didn't think it was a big problem. After all, it was obvious from how the Sanguine Duke had stopped him from entering Tingen. Lilith definitely had a certain understanding of Tingen's story.

However, her plans couldn't keep up with the changes. Before Ebner could set off for the Harvest Church, Fors went up to the door in a fluster, completely unconcerned that she might be caught by a reporter hiding nearby.

After hearing Xio's abnormal behavior, Aibner frowned. He thought for a moment and didn't delay any further. He said to Fors, "I'll use the washroom." Then, he turned to leave the living room, leaving the dazed Fors sitting alone.

Mr. Azik was in the study on the third floor, praying to Mr. Fool elsewhere. Even if he constructed a wall of spirituality, it was impossible to hide from him.

But with that gentleman's bearing, he wouldn't deliberately eavesdrop, right? After all, this was Mr. Fool's divine kingdom of the living. It came with the attribute of Concealment!

After lampooning inwardly, he locked the bathroom's door and sealed the surroundings with his spirituality. Then, he took on a praying posture and respectfully prayed,

"The Fool that doesn't belong to this era;

"The mysterious ruler above the gray fog;

"The King of Yellow and Black who wields good luck.

"I pray for your help.

"I pray for your permission to communicate privately with Miss Judgment above the gray fog."

In Tingen City, Klein got off the carriage and rushed to a nearby restaurant. Using the washroom, he took four steps counterclockwise and went above the gray fog.

Inside the ancient and towering palace, Klein sat in the seat belonging to Mr. Fool. He looked at the constantly shrinking and expanding crimson star beside him.

The prayer comes from Miss Judgment… But the voice seems to be very soft… Is it inconvenient for her to recite my honorific name in the environment that Miss Judgment is in? Is she asking for help?

With this in mind, Klein's heart tightened. He didn't wish for anything to happen to any of the Tarot Club members. Hence, with a heavy heart, he emanated his spirituality to listen to her.

After carefully listening to Miss Judgment's nearly inaudible prayer, Klein heaved a sigh of relief. However, he still frowned and leaned back in his chair. Without opening his mouth, he silently said to himself,

Miss Judgment is forming a team with a bunch of people she's not familiar with to deal with the monsters from that night?

From what she said, she didn't discuss it with Mr. Tower… This lady is a little rash.

Besides, that monster might be pursuing my aura? Why? Could it be from the Secret Order or the Antigonus family?

Just as Klein was about to pull Miss Judgment into the gray fog and ask her in detail, an illusory male voice suddenly echoed in the ancient palace.

At the same time, another crimson star rapidly expanded and contracted.

Klein glanced at it and confirmed that the prayer came from the "Tower."

The two of them sure have a tacit understanding… The good news is that it's finally not midnight this time…

After lampooning inwardly, he extended his right hand and emanated his spirituality to touch the crimson star.

Suddenly, the plea became clear and layered. Klein quickly understood what the "Tower" was praying for.

Is he trying to 'develop' the 'video call' function again? The Tower is really a genius!

The corners of Klein's mouth twitched. After some serious thought, he decided to satisfy this request of his. After all, he also wanted to hear what Mr. Tower and Miss Judgment would talk about.

Following that, he emanated his spirituality and touched the crimson star representing "Tower" and "Judgment." Then, he completely disappeared into the gray fog.

In a small library on the outskirts of North Borough, while Baron Conva was scribbling on a piece of paper, Lady Aston's Spirit Body suddenly flew out of his body and circled around him.

"Stop fooling around… Oh? You said that you discovered a hint of Sefirah Castle's aura nearby? Alright, alright. We'll head over after I finish my calculations," the baron said perfunctorily without even looking up.

Upon hearing his words, the illusory face of "Aston" gradually distorted. She spun a few times, as though she had made a difficult decision.

Following that, black mist appeared out of thin air from her body. In the blink of an eye, it dyed her Spirit Body in a highly terrifying manner, no longer as dignified and beautiful as before.

Then, she pounced onto Baron Conva's back.

"Aston, you…" The baron finally realized that something was wrong, but before he could respond, terrifying black spots crawled onto his body. He could no longer maintain his calm as he instantly went "mad."